Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Kingdom of Netherlands, Head Food and Nutrition Security, visit to Yambio 27th -28th May 2019

A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Kingdom of Netherland in The Hague led by the Paul van de Logt Head Food and Nutrition Security, and the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Juba staffs led by Marc Mazairac, the First Secretary Development Cooperation, paid a two day field visit to Yambio on the 27-28th May. Accompanying the Netherlands delegation was the FAO South Sudan team led by Deputy FAO Representative Mr, Pierre Vauthier.

Kodapai Fish Farm

The delegation met with the government of Gbudue state and accompanied by the State Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (SMAF) honourable Gibson Wande. The team visited Kodapai Fish farming group (Kodapai) supported under the USAID funded Sustainable Agriculture for Resiliency (SAFER). Kodapai is a women’s group of 25 Women and 5 male who have been trained in fish farming practice and management. The group has rehabilitated one fish pond and constructed two new fish ponds. The group plans to transform the farm into a fish farming knowledge hub to the communities of Gbudue state. While in the farm, the delegations interacted with beneficiaries and the team was addressed by the chair lady who thanked STO/FAO for the support in terms of trainings, inputs to include tools, and stocking of the ponds with fingerlings.

The delegations proceeded to visit one progressive beneficiary (Gabriel Peter Bimo) of previous interventions 2017 in Nagbaka. Other vulnerable HHs (in Nagbaka) who benefited from the ELRP 2019 first planting season congregated at this farm for an audience with the visiting delegation. While in Nagbaka 15Km away from Yambio in Gabriel’s flourishing homestead, the team was warmly welcomed and escorted to the farm. In the farm, one could observe with certainty how much Gabriel had adhered to best agronomic practices. The clear walk path, straight maize stocks, proper spacing and his mixed cropping technique of ground Nuts, maize and sesame were eye-catching. Resting under papaya trees, the delegations interacted with the farmers, and Gabriel narrated his story how he ended up in Nagbaka as an IDP following displacement from Li-rangu in 2016, and eventually becoming a lead farmer. He thanked the Minister of SMAF for honouring his farm by his presence. Above all, he acclaimed the Kingdom of Netherland for the support that it has extended to the people of South Sudan. Among the challenges highlighted by the farmers were issues of fall army warm (FAW), and post-harvest handling techniques. After inspecting the farm, the team headed to Gabriel’s home to see is local storage facility and the local threshing method of pounding. Deputy FAO representative inspected the granary and called for innovations to improve local storage facilities that can be sustainable.

Talking to the farmers Paul van de Logt, the Head Food and Nutrition Security thanked and commended the great work that is being done. “I know that farmers learn by watching other farmers not by listening to FAO telling them things, so get as many farmers together and learn from each other” he was appreciative of the farmer’s hospitality.

The Kingdom of Netherland is a major partner in the partnership for resiliency and recovery in Gbudue state. And major funder of the FAO Supported Emergency Livelihood Response Program (ELRP) in the region._____________________________________1 Up to 4,000 vulnerable HHs (including 200HHs) received inputs through direct distribution and seed fairs in Yambio alone for the first planting season of 2019.

Facebook Connect

Taking the Covid19 preventive, signs and symptom messages to the farmers on-farm is humbling, but yet saving the nation from hunger pandemic, we need to protect our farmers, @STOSouthSudan, started farm to farm Covid19 sensitization. engineered and propelled by our extension workers and supported by lead farmers who themselves take the message to others, "farmers learn better from other farmers"

let's protect the nation from COVID19- join in sensitizing the masses.

Wash hands regularly Avoid crowds, keep social distance and use masks to cover your nose and mouth.Do not shake hands. Sneeze or cough into your flexed elbow Stay home if you feel unwell or develop flu-like symptoms and call 6666 for help ... See MoreSee Less

We have reached 15,000 vulnerable households (8,628 females and 6,372 males) with different varieties of seeds that includes Vegetable seeds of Onion, Okra, Eggplant, Amaranth, Collard, Tomatoes, Watermelon and Pumpkins, the crops seed of Cowpeas, Sorghum and Maize. We also gave out tools that included Molada, hoes, rakes, and sickle.

Thanks to our partner, The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in South Sudan for making this happen. ... See MoreSee Less

On January 5, 2020, STO vehicle travelling from Yambio to Tambura was hijacked between Diabio and Yangiri villages by gunmen who identified themselves as SPLA-IO. In the vehicle was STO’s Tambura Team Leader, STO Driver, and the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture Tambura State. The hijackers forcefully boarded STO vehicle at gun point demanding to be driven to Tambura. Upon arrival, STO Team Leader reported the incidence to the relevant authorities in Tambura States who initiated an investigation on STO onboard-staffs and other motorists who were on the road during the day. As a National Non-Governmental Organization (NNGO), Star Trust Organization (STO) operates in full compliance with humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and therefore fully continued to cooperate in the investigations until the following day. STO regrets the harassment inflicted on its staff and vehicle in the whole process and calls for a better working environment to deliver humanitarian services to the needy communities in Tambura and the region. ... See MoreSee Less

Twitter Connect

@STOSouthSudan @RadioTamazuj @WFP_SouthSudan @FAOSouthSudan @RadioMiraya @Tangunsteve @aryemosande @nyokovictor @mbikoclement @SouthSudanToday @kina_joel Great work @STOSouthSudan
Reaching out to the most vulnerable people with information is the way to go.
Keep thriving.

"Farmers learn by seeing"@STOSouthSudan is taking Covid19 sensitization to the farms, and our extension workers are at the forefront making sure that the message gets across to every corner of the farms in WES.